Black horses are regarded as the black pearls of the equine world and that’s because solid black is not a common coat color in horses.
True black or non-fading black horses are uniformly covered with blue-black, glossy hairs throughout their lives, as the sunlight does not affect the color of their coat, although they may get sun-bleached manes over time.
There are certain breeds associated with this color, and the most renowned is the Friesian, whose impressive beauty is undeniable. These distinctively majestic black horses with a non-fading solid black coat are also known for their intelligence, friendliness, and adaptability.
Fading black horses can become dark brown or bay after prolonged exposure to sunlight. It should also be noted that the term bay can include, in most studbooks, shades that approach black. Black horses are born either stark black or light grey.
If you own a black filly or colt but you haven’t found the perfect name for him/her, we’ve put together a list of male black horse names and dark horse names female, respectively as well as a list of famous black horse names so that you can get inspired from and choose a name that reflects both his/her luxurious, rather unique appearance and character.
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Famous Black Horse Names
Black Beauty (Darkie) – the protagonist and narrator of Anna Sewell’s 1877 best-selling book of the same name that explored animal welfare
Rob Roy – Black Beauty’s half-brother foaled by Dutchess ( “Pet”), he was killed along with his rider in a hunting accident
Ruffian – touted the Queen of Fillies, she was a black champion Thoroughbred racehorse who died in 1975 at the age of only 3 in a match race
Burmese – a black Royal Canadian Mounted Police mare given as a gift to Queen Elizabeth II; she died in 1990, at the age of 28
Femma – the first Friesian mare who achieved the model status, in addition to becoming Overall Friesian Breed Champion in the UK in 2008
Anja – the first UK bred Friesian mare who became Overall Breed Champion, Champion Mare, and Model Mare in 2018
Berber – along with Anja, she was the first Friesian mare who achieved the Kroon title in 2014
Bucephalus – Alexander the Great’s famous black horse that carried him in battles against Persians and was one of the most famous horses in history
Black Gold ( the Indian Horse) – a black Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 1924 Kentucky Derby
Goliath – the black Friesian stallion ridden by Navarre in the 1985 medieval dark movie “Ladyhawke”
The Black Stallion – the animal protagonist of Walter Farley’s 1941 book and the film adaptation, a black Arabian stallion also called Shetan or the Black
Black Hawk Morgan – born in 1833, this famous black Morgan stallion influenced 80% of the Morgan breed, as well as Saddlebreds and Standardbreds
Midnight Sun – A World Grand Champion for two consecutive years, this black stallion was one of Black Hawk’s descendants foaled in 1940
Byerley Turk – foaled in the late 1600s, this black stallion along with Godolphin and Darley (Arabians) founded the modern Thoroughbred horseracing bloodstock
Black Horse Names Male
Aristocrat ( befitting a member of the equine aristocracy)
Ash, Ashton
Batman
Blackheart
Black Geranium
BlackJack
Calla ( black)
Charcoal, Coal
Cosmos
Dark Chocolate
Duke or Duc ( if you prefer in French)
Ebony ( works for a female black horse too)
(Sun/Moon) Eclipse
Glory ( befitting their glorious appearance)
Gypsy
Hades ( the god of the underworld in Greek mythology)
Hollyhock ( inspired by the black hollyhock flower)
King, or Le Roi ( in French)
Jet Black
Licorice
Lucifer
Majestic
Marquis
Mavro (Greek for black, masculine)
Midnight Sun, Midnight Express
Mystical
Mystery, Mysterious
Negro ( Spanish for black, masculine)
Nero ( Italian for black, masculine), Moro
Nightshade
Noir ( French for black, masculine)
Onyx ( can also be used for a female black horse)
Pallas
Pheonix
Pluto ( in Western astrology, this planet is associated with metamorphosis and rebirth)
Prince
Raven
(Black) Sabbath
Shadow
Smokey
Vicomte
Vlad ( Tepes)
Wouter ( Dutch for “ruler of the army”)
Black Horse Names Female
Ashley
Bat Orchid ( a black flower of the orchid family that looks like a bat in flight)
Black Baccara Rose, Black Rose
Black Beauty
Black Diamond ( works for a male, too)
Black Dahlia
Black Calla Lily ( inspired by the flower that symbolizes rebirth and faithfulness)
Black Iris
Black Pansy ( inspired by the black flower)
Black Pearl
Chicory ( used as a substitute for coffee)
Chocolate Cosmos ( after a blackish flower native to Mexico)
Chocolate Lily
Cinderella
Coffee
Dutchess
Espresso, Nespresso
Elvira
Felicity, Felicita ( Italian for “happiness”)
Gemma
Gloria
Grandee
Hecate ( the goddess of the underground, earth, and moon in Greek mythology)
Hellebore ( inspired by the rare black hellebore flower)
Hera ( the Queen of Heaven, she was the wife of Zeus)
Marquise
Mavri ( Greek for black, feminine)
Mora ( Italian for dark haired)
Nera ( Italian for black, feminine)
Negra ( Spanish for black, feminine)
Noire ( French for black, feminine)
Olive ( black), Olivia
Queen of the Night ( Tulip)
Panther ( Black Panther)
Princess
Royale
(Black) Velvet Petunia ( inspired by the rare black flower)
Veronica ( after the saint who wiped Jesus Christ’s face with her veil; means “perfect image), Vera
Viola Molly Sanderson ( inspired by the black viola)
Black Horse Names Conclusion
If you still haven’t found that perfect name for your American Quarter Horse or your Friesian, be sure to take a look at our white horse names, or why not checking name ideas for other pets as well.
For example, you can search for guinea pig names, there are some really awesome names which could be used for horses. Or maybe try searching for black dog names or black cat names online for more unique ideas. Maybe you will find that perfect name right there.
